Combination electrical switch

ABSTRACT

A combination electrical switch having a plurality of rotary tumblers successively operated by means of an assembly including a combination dial rotatably coupled with a push button, which is mounted for independent reciprocating movements to successively position an operator in driving association with each of the tumblers. The tumblers serve to drive contact elements along annular paths into circuit closing engagement with blade contacts establishing plural switch operating combinations one or more of which may be changed by selectively changing the position of the blade contacts. An improved latch device is provided for releasably retaining the switch in circuit completed condition.

111 3,878,346 [4 1 Apr. 15, 1975 United States Patent [191 GreenCOMBINATION ELECTRICAL SWITCH [76] lnventor: Franklin L. Green, Box 77,Primary Examirier RoPe.rt schziefer Machias, NY Assistant ExammerW1ll1amJ. Smith Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Bean & Bean [22] Filed: Mar. 28, 197421 Appl. No.: 455,662

Related U.S. Application Data Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 376,695,July 5, 1973, Pat. No. 3,801,761.

assembly including a combination dial rotatably coupled with a pushbutton, which is mounted for independent reciprocating movements tosuccessively po- [52] U.S. Cl. 200/43; 70/302; 70/311 [51] Int. Cl. H01h27/10 sition an operator in driving association with each of [58] Fieldof Search............. the tumblers. The tumblers serve to drive contactelements along annular paths into circuit closing engagement with bladecontacts establishing plural switch operating combinations one or moreof which may be changed by selectively changing the position of theblade contacts. An improved latch device is provided for releasablyretaining the switch in circuit completed 9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures nn00 SS mM VV aa DD 2,797,271 Augustine 2,934,615 4/1960 Goral.......2,984,717 5/1961 Davidson. 3,192,331 6/1965 PATENTEU PR1 75 sum 1 er 3COMBINATION ELECTRICAL SWITCH REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION Thisapplication is a continuation in part of my copending application Ser.No. 376,695, filed July 5, 1973 now US. Pat. No. 3,801,761, Apr. 2,1974.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In my copending application Ser. No.376,695, filed July 5,1973 now US. Pat. No. 3801761, Apr. 2, 1974, thereis disclosed a switch construction including a combination dialrotatably coupled to a push button,

which is in turn mounted for reciprocating movements in order tosuccessively position an operator in driving association with each of aplurality of tumblers such that rotations of the combination dial areimparted to the tumblers through the operator. Each of the tumblersserves in turn to drive a bridging contact along an annular path withinthe confines of a combination contact housing non-rotatably fixed withina switch casing. The contact housings and the casing are formed withannularly spaced, radially aligned openings through which combination orblade contacts may be removably inserted for the purpose of changeablydefining a single switch operating combination.

The combination dial is depressable to selectively release a latchdevice employed to normally retain the operator in its successivetumbler driving positions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improvementsin the switch construction disclosed by my above mentioned copendingapplication. More specifically, the present invention provides amodified combination contact housing construction, which permits theswitch to be operated by using any of two or more combination settingoperations, and an improved latch device, which prevents retrograderotations of the tumblers during the combination setting operation andnegates the need for depressing the combination dial to return theswitch to its initial condition.

DRAWINGS FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken generally along line 66 inFIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 6, but showing the latch ininoperative position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION able mounting/security plate 12. To this end, plate12 may be formed with an aperture 14 and switch 10 may be held in placetherewithin by threadably or otherwise. suitably connected outer andinner clamping ring devices 16 and 18, respectively, as shown in FIG. 4.If required, access to portions of switch 10, which are disposedrearwardly of plate 12, for the purpose of changing the switch operatingcombination or combinations in-the manner to be described, may benormally prevented by enclosing same within an additional plate mountedsecurity box, not shown.

By again referring principally to FIGS. 2 and 4, it will be understoodthat switch 10 generally includes a dial 20; a cup shaped push button22; movement transmitting assembly 24; a switch casing 26; a pluralityof tumblers 28-31; a plurality of combination contact housings 32-35,which are associated one with each of the tumblers; one or more sets ofcombination contacts eg. contacts 36-39 and contacts 36 '39', whereinone contact of each set is removably associated with each of housings32-35; a tumbler operator 40; and a reset latch device 42.

Dial 20 is best shown in FIG. 4 as including a body portion 50, anannular rear flange or rim portion 52 and a front face or rim portion54, which may be interconnected in any desired manner. Body portion 50is formed with a stepped through opening 56 having a reduced diameterfront end portion 56a dimensioned to slideably receive assembly 24, andan enlarged diameter rear end portion 56b dimensioned to receive anannular flange 60 of outer clamping ring 16; rim portion 52 serving toretain flange 60 within end portion 56b and rotatably support the dialon ring 16 and thus plate 12.

As indicated in FIG. 1, the front face of rim portion 52 bearscombination indicia, which upon rotation of dial 20 may be individuallyplaced in registration with a reference mark 66 applied to plate 12. Inthe illustrated switch construction, the indicia includes an 0" positionand counterclockwise arranged numerical or combination setting positions1 through 11.

The front surface of body portion 50 is formed with inner and outerannular recesses 72 and 74, respectively, which are disposedconcentrically of bore opening 56. Inner recess 72 is dimensioned toaccommodate a rear end ofa coil or other suitable compression spring 76,whereas other recess 74 is dimensioned to slideably receive an enlargedannular rim portion 78 of push button 22.

Movement transmitting assembly 24 includes an outer member 80, which hasits front or outer end movably supported within dial bore openingportion 56a and an aligned through bore opening 82 formed in outerclamping ring 16 and has its rear or inner end movably supported by acasing carried guide pin 84 received within a rear opening cavity 86;and an inner or stem member 88', which is slideably supported within afrom opening cavity 90 defined by outer member 80. Members and 88 arecoupled for simultaneous rotary movements and for limited relative axialmovements by means of an outer member carried pin 92, which is slideablyreceived within inner member slot opening 94; pin 92 additionally beingreceived within a slot 96 formed in body portion 50 for the purpose ofcoupling assembly 24 for rotation with dial 20, while providing forlimited axial movement therebetween.

Outer member 80 is additionally formed with an enlarged front or headend portion 98, which is engaged by the front end of spring 76; a pairof side opening apertures 100, which are disposed in communication withthe base or closed inner end 102 of front opening cavity 90; and anaxially extending slot or recess 104, which is adapted to slideablyreceive a pin 106 carried by tumbler operator 40 for the purpose ofcoupling the tumbler operator for rotation with the outer member, whileproviding for limited axial movement therebetween. By this arrangement,pairs of apertures 108, 110 and 112, which are formed in tumbleroperator 40 are maintained in radial alignment with outer memberapertures 100, during relative axial movement between the outer memberand tumbler operator in the manner to be hereinafter described.

lnner member 88 has an enlarged head end portion 114 fixed to its outerend and a pair of operating or pusher fingers I 16 pivotally supportedon its inner end, as by means of a pin shaft 118. Head end portion 114is preferably fixed to the inner surface of push button 22, but may bemerely retained in engagement therewith by means of a coil or othersuitable compression spring 120, which bears upon theouter end of outermember 80 and is relatively weak, as compared to spring 76.

Outer member 80 is normally maintained in its normal extended or outerposition shown in FIG. 4, wherein an outer member carried abutment, suchas a snap-on C-ring 122, engages with the inner face of outer clampingring 16, by the cooperative action of springs 76 and 124; spring 124bearing on the inner end of tumbler operator 40, which in turn bearsupon C- ring 122. An inner or operating position of outer member 80, notshown, may be variously defined as for instance by engagement of theclosed end or base 125 of rear opening cavity 86 with the front end ofpin 84.

Inner member 88 is normally maintained in an extended or outer positionrelative to outer member 80 by spring 120, wherein the free ends offingers 116 extend into but not through outer member apertures 100, asshown in FIG. 4. An inner or operating position of inner member 88relative to outer member 80, not shown, may be variously defined as forinstance by engagement of the inner end of inner member 88 with base 102of front opening cavity 90. As will be apparent, movement of innermember 88 inwardly relative to outer member 80 against the bias ofspring 120 serves to force fingers 116 to move outwardly throughapertures 100 for receipt within tumbler operator apertures or openings108, 110 and 112 when aligned therewith; such apertures preferably notbeing aligned with any of the above mentioned numerical positions ofdial 20.

Again referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, it will be understood that tumbleroperator 40 is additionally formed with four axially spaced,frusto-conically shaped annular recesses 126, 128, 130 and 132; threeaxially spaced, ratchet toothed annular surface portions 134,

136 and 138; a smooth or non-toothed front surface" portion 140; and apair of radially extending tumbler driving pins 142, which aredimensioned to be slideably received within a pair of axially extendingslots 144 formed on the cylindrical inner surface of each of tumblers28-31. While pins 142, and thus slots 144, are preferably annularlyspaced apart through about 120", they are shown in FIG. 4 as having a180 spacing in order to facilitate identification of parts.

As best shown in FIG. 2, rearward and forward facing surfaces ofadjacent tumblers are relatively inclined and cut away to definecooperating ratchet teeth 146 and 148, respectively, whereas theforwarding facing surface of frontmost tumbler 28 and the rearwardlyfacing surface of rearmost tumbler 31 are planer and essentiallyparallel, except for the provision of a forwardly extending release-stoplug 150 on the front face of tumbler 28, which is best shown in FIGS. 6and 7 as cooperating with latch device 42. Lug 150 may be considered asdefining a latch release or cam surface 150a and a stop surface 150b. Itwill be understood that when ratchet teeth 146 and 148 of any pair ofadjacent tumblers are engaged, slots 144, as well as pairs of slots 152formed on the outer cylindrical surface of each tumbler are maintainedin relative axial alignment. With teeth 146 and 148 of adjacent tumblersengaged, driven rotation of first tumbler 28 in a clockwise direction(such direction corresponding to the direction dial 20 is rotated tosuccessively position numeral positions 1 through 11 in alignment withreference mark 66) will produce like rotations of tumblers 29-31.Conversely, when the teeth of all of the tumblers are engaged, drivenrotation of tumbler 31 in a counter-clockwise direction will producelike rotations of tumblers 28-30.

Tumblers 28-31 are normally biased into face to face abutting engagementand frontmost tumbler 28 biased into axial bearing engagement with theinner end of a cylindrical front part 154 of casing 26 by means of acoil spring 156 acting through a bearing sleeve 158. The front end offront part 154 may be clamped between ring devices 16 and 18 in order tosupport casing 26 on plate 12.

In that contact housings 32-35 are of identical construction, only firstor frontmost housing 32, which is associated with tumbler 28, will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, and like parts ofhousings 33 through 35 will be identified by like numbers. Housing 32 isbest shown in H0. 3 as including an insulated bridging contact ring 162,which is coupled for rotation with tumbler 28 by a pair of projections164 slideably fitted within tumbler slots 152 and carries a transverselyextending bridging or through electrical contact pin 166 and aperipherally extending contact band 168; an insulated front housing ring170, which is formed with a plurality of annularly spaced, rearwardlyand radially outwardly opening positioning slots or openings 172, andhas a radially outwardly projecting positioning lug 174; and aninsulated rear housing ring 176, which is formed with an annular recess178 whose base or radial surface is coated or covered with an electricalcontact ring or bane 180 and with a plurality of annularly spaced,radially inwardly and outwardly opening positioning slots or openings182 and has a radial outwardly projecting positioning lug 184. Contactband 168 is recessed below the peripheral surface of contact ring 162except for a contact area 168a, which is disposed essentially flush withor projects slightly above such surface. First and second circuitcontact pins 186 and 188, which extend radially outwardly through rearhousing ring 176, have their inner ends electrically coupled withcontact bands 180 and 168, respectively. In this connection, it will beunderstood that the inner end portion 188a of second circuit pin 188 isradially spring biased in order to permit it to ride over contact area168a during rotation of contact ring 162 and be likewise radiallydisplaced during assembly of its associated contact housing.

When housing rings 170 and 176 are clamped in engagement, contact ring162 is rotatably received in recess 178 and housing ring 176 rearwardlycloses slots 172. When the contact housing is assembled, its bridgingcontact 166 has its rear end arranged in sliding electrical contact withelectrical contact ring 180 and has its front end arranged to slightlyproject into lower or radially inner end portion of slot openings 172.Also, contact band 168 is disposed in radial alignment with secondcircuit pin 188 and slot openings 182.

For any given construction, the number of slot openings 172 formed ineach front housing ring and the annular spacing therebetween correspondsto the number and relative annular placement of numeral positions 1through 11 of dial positioning lug 174 of each front housing ringcorresponding to the 0 position of the dial 20 and being disposed inalignment therewith when the 0 position of the dial is disposed inregistry with reference mark 66. Preferably, slot openings 182correspond in number and annular orientation to slot openings 172.However, in the presently preferred construction, slot openings 172 areelongated in an annular direction and slot openings 182 are elongated inan axial direction relative to contact housing 32-35.

Casing 26 additionally includes an insulated central or main part 190,which is dimensioned to slideably accommodate housings 32-35; and a rearor cap part 192, which serves both to mount guide pin 84 and to axiallyclamp housings 32-35 in assembled condition within central part 190.Housing part 190 is formed with two sets of radially opening steppedapertures 192 and 192; and an elongated slot opening 194, which servesto receive ring positioning lugs 174 and 184 in order to preventrotation of rings 170 and 176 of the contact housings relative to thecasing. It will be understood that casing apertures 192 and 192' arearranged as axially spaced, groups of apertures corresponding in numberto the number of contact housings and that the apertures of each groupof apertures 192 and 192 are arranged in radial alignment one with eachof slot openings 172 and 182, respectively, of an associated contacthousing.

In accordance with one form of the present construction, switch 10 iscapable of two separate combination settings, which are selectivelydetermined by inserting combination contacts 36-39 and contacts 36'-39'into one aperture of each group of apertures 192 and 192', as generallyindicated in FIG. 1. This form of the invention has particular utilityas a door lock control for multiple unit building installations, eg.motels, apartment houses and office buildings, wherein a custodianrequires access to each unit and tenants are permitted access to onlytheir assigned units. In this connection, the switch employed to controllocking of the door of each unit would have a first operatingcombination determined by the setting of contacts 36-39 and known onlyto the tenant to which such unit is assigned, whereas all of theswitches would have an identical second operating combination determinedby the setting of contacts 36'39' and known only to the custodian.Moreover, this plural combination form of switch 10 may be used togetherwith an otherwise similar single combination switch in various types ofinstallation, such as with plural record storage files wherein certainindividuals are entitled to have access to all files, whereas otherindividuals are entitled to gain access to only one or more specifiedfiles or for automobile ignition and trunk lock controls, wherein aparking attendant or mechanic is informed as to only the first operatingcombination of the ignition switch and the second operating combinationof such switch corresponds to the single combination setting of thetrunk lock control switch.

Contacts 36-39 each include an insulated pull 198 serving to mount ametal contact blade 200, an associated lead wire to be described and apair of metal mounting fingers 202, which are resiliently deformable topermit a contact to be removably snap-fitted into one of apertures 192.Contact blade 200 is dimensioned to be removably inserted through one ofapertures 192 for snug sliding fit in an aligned slot opening 172 forelectrical contact with the front end of bridging contact pin 166. Aswill be apparent, various wear compensating means may be provided toinsure proper electrical contact between blade 200 and contact pin 166over an extended period of use, such as by constructing the blade toresiliently deform when contacted by the forward end of the contact pin.

Contacts 36'39' may be identical in construction to contacts 36-39 andthus like parts are designated by like primed numbers. Contact blade 200is, however, dimensioned to be removably inserted through one ofapertures 192' for snug sliding fit in an aligned slot opening 182 andsuch that its inner end either slideably bears on or is in closeproximity to the peripheral surface of contact ring 162 depending on theradial height of contact area 168a. As will be apparent, contact blades200' are disposed in electrical contact with bands 168 only when contactrings 162 are rotated such as to position their associated contact areas168a in radial alignment therewith. Of course. various wear compensatingmeans may be provided to insure proper electrical contact between blades200' and contact areas 168a and between pin end 188a with ring 168 overan extended period of use.

Latch device 42 also departs from that illustrated in my above mentionedpatent application, in that it includes an inverted, essentiallyh-shaped operator member 210, having a latch leg portion 212 and areleasestop leg portion 214, which freely project through aperturesformed in casing front part 154; a connecting portion 216; a suitableresilient device, such as coil spring 218, for biasing the operatormember 210 inwardly for engagement with tumbler operator 40 andrelease-stop lug a resiliently deformable ratchet tooth member 220carried by latchleg portion 212; and a connecting portion guide device222 fixed to casing front part 154. By viewing FIG. 6, it will beappreciated that the mounting of tooth member 220 is such as to permitit to deflect only in a direction permitting clockwise or combinationsetting rotations of operator member 40 and thus dial 20 when toothmember 220 is engaged with any of ratchet toothed portions 134, 136 or138.

Operation of switch 10 will now be described, it being assumed forpurposes of illustration that contacts 36-39 have been positioned toestablish a first switch operating combination of 6-9-7-11; that dial 20is initially set with its 0 position in registration with reference mark66; and that assembly 24 and tumbler operator 40 occupy the positionsillustrated in FIG. 4. Also, in this condition lug stop surface l50b isdisposed in sidewise engagement with the free or inner end ofrelease-stop leg portion 214 thereby to constrain tumbler 28 and thusits associated contact ring 162 against retrograde rotations, ie.,rotations in a counter-clockwise sense past an initial position whereincontact pin 166 and contact area 168a are disposed in an position inessential radial alignment with positioning lugs 174 and 184. Further,it will be understood that in this condition lug cam surface 150a hasbeen underengaged with the lower end of leg portion 214 whereby to liftor vertically displace latch leg portion 212 from within recess 126 andlift tooth member 220 from engagement with ratchet tooth portion 134against the return bias of spring 218, as indicated in FIG. 7.

A person having knowledge of the first combination may operate switch 10by first rotating dial in a clockwise direction until numeral position 6is positioned in registry with reference mark 66; this operation servingto drive contact ring 162 associated with contact housing 32 in aclockwise direction to bring the front end of its associated bridgecontact pin 166 into electrical contact with blade 200 of contact 36,which is positioned in the 6 position of the first group of apertures192. During this operation, contact ring 162 of contact housing 32is'coupled for rotation with dial 20 via tumbler 28, tumbler operator 40and outer member 80; tumblers 29-31 rotating with tumbler 28 due to thecoupling effect of ratchet teeth 146 and 148 in order to maintain theirrespective slots 144 in axial alignment. Also, it will be understoodthat as dial 20 is moved from its 0 position, lug 150 is moved fromengagement with leg portion 214 thereby to permit spring 218 to positionleg portion 212 within recess 126 and to position tooth member 220 inengagement with ratchet tooth portion 134 such that retrograde rotationsof dial 20 are prevented.

After this initial setting of dial 20, push button 22 is momentarilydepressed for the purpose of stepping pins 142 of tumbler operator 40into operative engagement with slots 144 of tumbler 29. Upon initialdepression of push button 22, relatively weak spring 120 is compressedto allow movement of inner member 88 inwardly relative to outer member80; such relative movement serving to cam fingers 116 outwardly throughouter member openings 100 for receipt within tumbler operator openings108 and terminating upon engagement of inner member 88 with base end 102of outer member front cavity 90. Thereafter members 80 and 88 andtumbler operator 40 are coupled for continued inwardly or rearwardlydirected axial movement against the bias of springs 76 and 124 untilmovement thereof is arrested by engagement of the forward end of pin 84with the base 125 of outer member rear opening cavity 86. When thismovement is completed, tumbler operator 40 has been moved axiallythrough a distance sufficient to position pins 142 within slots 144 oftumbler 29 and to position recess 128 and ratchet toothed portion 136 inradial alignment with leg portion 212 and tooth member 220,respectively; the radial displacement of leg portion 212 occasioned byriding out of recess 126 being sufficient to remove tooth member 220from engagement with ratchet toothed portion 134 and prevent engagementthereof with ratchet toothed portion 136 until seating of such legportion in operator recess 128. Upon release of push button 22,engagement of leg portion 212 with the rear wall of recess 128 serves toretain tumbler operator 40 in its first depressed position, not shown,against the bias of spring 124. Springs 120 and 76 are, however,

effective for removing fingers 116 from within tumbler operator openings108 and then returning outer mem-- ber and inner member 88 to theirinitial positions shown in FIG. 4. When this is accomplished, outermember apertures are positioned in radial alignment with operator memberapertures 110 and the switch is ready for the step of setting the nextnumber of the first combination.

Dial 20 is again rotated in a clockwise direction until numeral position9 is placed in registry with reference mark 66; this operation servingto drive contact ring 162 associated with contact housing 33 in aclockwise direction to bring its associated bridging contact pin intoelectrical engagement with blade 200 of contact 37 positioned in the 9position of the second group of apertures 192. During this operation,tumblers 30 and 31 remain coupled for clockwise rotation with tumbler29, while tumbler 28 remains at rest; spring 156 yielding sufficientlyto permit slight axial movement of tumblers 29-31 relative to tumbler 28as a result of camming engagement between the relatively inclined facingsurfaces of tumblers 28 and 29. Retrograde rotation of dial 20 is againprevented by engagement of tooth member 220 with ratchet toothed portion136. Suitable friction forces or detents, not shown, within housing 32are relied upon to prevent movement of the bridging contact pin fromregistry with the contact blade of contact 36, as tumbler 29 is movedrelative to tumbler 28.

After this second setting of dial 20, push button 22 is againmomentarily depressed for the purpose of stepping pins 142 of tumbleroperator 40 into operative engagement within slots 144 of tumbler 30.Upon release of the push button, members 80 and 88 are again returned totheir initial positions in the manner described above, but tumbleroperator 40 is retained in its second depressed position, not shown, dueto engagement of leg portion 212 within recess 130. In this position ofthe tumbler operator, its apertures 112 are automatically aligned withapertures 100 of outer member 80 when the latter is returned to itsinitial or rest position. Also, tooth member 220 is arranged forengagement with ratchet toothed portion 138.

The third combination number is set by again rotating dial 20 in aclockwise or combination setting direction until numeral position 7 isplaced in registry with reference mark 66; this operation serving todrive the contact ring associated with housing 34 in a clockwisedirection to bring the front end of its associated bridging contact pininto electrical contact with the blade of contact 38, which ispositioned in the 7 position of the third group of apertures 192. Duringthis movement, tumbler 31 is coupled for rotation with tumbler 30 andspring 156 again deforms to permit relative axial movement of tumblers30 and 31 with respect to now sta tionary tumblers 28 and 29.

To complete the combination setting operation, push button 22 is againdepressed for the purpose of stepping pins 142 of the tumbler operatorinto operative engagement with slots 144 of tumbler 31; leg portion 212being cammed out of recess and then being re ceived within recess 132 inorder to prevent disengagement of pins 142 with tumbler 31 when the pushbutton is thereafter returned to its normal extended position by springs76 and 120. When this step is completed, tooth member 220 is arranged insliding engagement with the smooth or non-tooth front surface portion140.

The combination may now be completed by merely rotating dial 20 in aclockwise direction until numeral position 11 is in registry withreference mark 66', this serving to place the bridging contact pin ofcontact housing 35 in contact with the contact blade of contact 39,which is inserted through the 11 position of the fourth group ofapertures 192. During this operation, spring 156 further deforms topermit slight axial movement of tumbler 31 relative to now stationarytumblers 28-30.

With the whole of the first combination set, a series circuit throughthe switch is completed for the purpose of completing a control circuitwith which the switch is associated. As generally indicated in FIG. 1,the circuit would include lead wires 240 and 242, which are connected tocontact pin I86 associated with contact housing 35 and combinationcontact 36 associated with contact housing 32, respectively. The circuitbetween contact housings of the switch may be suitably established, asby bridging wires 244, 246 and 248, which are provided to connect thecontact pin associated with contact housing 32 to combination contact37, the contact pin associated with contact housing 33 to combinationcontact 38, and the contact pin associated with contact housing 34 tocombination contact 39, respectively.

If desired, contact housing 35 and combination contact 39 may beemployed as a short throw ON- OFF" switch in order to permit a devicewith which the present combination switch is associated to be turned ONand OFF without the necessity of reworking the whole combination. Inthis arrangement, the 11 position of the dial would be the ON positionand the position would be the OFF position; smooth front surface 140permitting combination setting and retrograde rotations of dial 20between these positions. The remaining contact housings 32, 33 and 34would of course be employed to form the combination and be uneffected byON and OFF rotations of dial 20.

When desiring to relock the switch for the purpose of interrupting thecontrol circuit, it is necessary to first rotate dial 20 in acounter-clockwise direction until all of the associated pairs of ratchetteeth 146 and 148 are brought into driving engagement with the resultthat tumblers 28-30 are driven in a counter-clockwise direction bytumbler 31 and slots 144 of all of the tumblers are again aligned. Theoperator of switch will be automatically advised when this operation iscompleted by engagement of frontmost tumbler carried lug 150 with latchleg portion 214, which serves both to prevent further tumbler rotationin a counter-clockwise direction and to release latch leg portion 212from latching engagement within recess 132 and raise same above thesurface of operator member 40, whereby to permit spring 124 to returnthe operator member to its initial position shown in FIG. 4. It will benoted that the relative positioning of latch leg portion 214 and lug 150is such that the 0 position of the switch elements is in registry withreference mark 66.

When switch 10 is provided with a second operating combination, such asdefined by the positioning of contacts 36'39 arranged for instance inthe combination 4-11-10-9, a separate, second electrical circuit can becompleted through the switch by one having knowledge of the secondcombination; the manipulation of dial 20 and push button 22 beingsimilar to that described above. This circuit would include lead wires240' and 242, which are connected to contact pin 188 associated withcontact housing 35 and combination contact 36' associated with contacthousing 32, respectively, and bridging wires, not shown, would beprovided to connect contact pin 188 associated with contact housing 32to combination contact 37, the contact pin 188 associated with contacthousing 33 to combination contact 38', and contact pin 188 associatedwith contact housing 34 to combination contact 39.

I claim:

1. A combination electrical switch comprising in combination:

a manually rotatable combination setting dial;

a manually depressable push button;

a plurality of, spaced devices each including at least one combinationcontact for establishing a combination setting of its associated device;

a plurality of axially aligned tumblers arranged one in association witheach of said devices, each of said tumblers being rotatable relative toits associated device for driving a tumbler associated contact intoelectrical contact with said combination contact associated with itsdevice whereby to complete an electrical circuit through its device,said devices being arranged within a series circuit completed by thecompletion of said electrical circuit through each of said devices,adjacent tumblers having cooperating means for coupling said tumblersfor rotation in a first combination setting direction when a first ofsaid tumblers is driven in said first direction, whereas when anadditional tumbler other than said first tumbler is driven in said firstdirection said first tumbler and tumblers intermediate said firsttumbler and said additional tumbler are uncoupled while other ones ofsaid tumblers remain coupled for driving by said additional tumbler insaid first direction, and for coupling said tumblers for rotation in anopposite direction when a last of said tumblers is driven in saidopposite direction, each of said tumblers is formed with at least oneaxially extending drive slot, and the drive slots of adjacent tumblerswhen coupled being disposed in alignment;

a tumbler operator being formed with at least one tumbler engaging drivepin slideably received for movement lengthwise within said drive slot ofeach tumbler, said tumbler operator having a normal first positionwherein said drive pin is disposed in driving engagement with said firsttumbler and successive axially spaced positions wherein said drive pinis disposed in driving engagement with successive ones of said tumblers;

a latch device operable to releasably retain said tumbler operator ineach of said successive positions and to prevent tumbler drivingrotations thereof in said opposite direction in all positions exceptinga last of said successive positions wherein it is drivingly engaged withsaid last of said tumblers, said latch device being releasable to permitreturn of said tumbler operator to said first position when said driveslot of a tumbler with which said tumbler operator is presently engagedis aligned with said drive slots of said first tumbler and tumblersintermediate said first and presently engaged tumblers;

and

a motion transmitting assembly for coupling said tumbler operator withsaid dial whereby to impart rotations of said dial to a tumbler withwhich said tumbler operator is drivingly engaged whereby to drive itsassociated contact and for coupling said tumbler operator with said pushbutton whereby successive depressions of said push button serve to stepsaid tumbler operator between said positions thereof in a directionaxially away from said first position.

2. A combination electrical switch according to claim I, wherein saidfirst tumbler carries means engageable with said latch device whereby torelease said tumbler operator for return to said first position upondriven rotation of coupled tumblers by said last tumbler in said i saidtumblers while coupled are driven by said last tumbler in said oppositedirection, whereby in succession to release said tumbler operator forreturn to said first position and to define the limit of rotation ofsaid tumblers in said opposite direction.

4. A combination electrical switch according to claim 1, wherein saidtumbler operator is normally biased in a relatively forward directioninto said first position thereof and includes an axially extending frontopening. a plurality of axially spaced radially directed openingscommunicating with said front opening, a plurality of annular recessesspaced apart axially of said tumbler operator for cooperating with saidlatch device to releasably retain said tumbler operator in each of saidsuccessive positions and a plurality of ratchet toothed surface portionsarranged intermediate adjacent annular recesses for cooperating withsaid latch device to prevent tumbler driving rotation of said tumbleroperator in said opposite direction, said movement transmitting assemblyincludes an outer member received within said tumbler operator frontopening for relative axial sliding movement and keyed to said tumbleroperator for conjunctive rotary movements and an inner member supportedconcentrically within said outer member for relative axial slidingmovement, said outer and inner members being keyed for rotation withsaid dial. said outer member having at least one radial openingdisposable in radial alignment with a first of said tumbler operatorradial openings when said tumbler operator is in its first position andsuccessive ones of said tumbler operator radial openings when saidtumbler operator is in said successiveipositions excepting said last ofsaid successive positions, said'inner member having an outer end engagedwith said push button and an inner end carrying at least one pusherfinger projectable outwardly through said outer member opening and intoan aligned radial opening of said operator member when said push buttonis depressed'whereby to couple said push button, said inner member, saidouter memher and said tumbler operator for axial movement whereby tomove said tumbler operator in a relatively rearward direction into saidsuccessive positions for engagement with successive ones of saidtumblers, and said latch device cooperating with said ratchet toothedsurface portions in all positions of said tumbler operator exceptingsaid last of said successive positions 5. A combination electricalswitch according to claim 4, wherein said first tumbler carries meansengageable with said latch device whereby to release said tumbleroperator, for return to said first position upon driven rotation ofcoupled tumblers by said last tumbler in said opposite direction.

6. A combination electrical switch according to claim 4, wherein saidlatch device includes a latch portion, a release-stop portion, a toothedmember, and spring means for biasing said latch portion for insertioninto said annular recesses and said toothed member for engagement withsaid ratchet toothed surface portions, and said first tumbler carrying alug, said lug being arranged to engage said release-stop portion toremove said latch portion from insertion and said toothed member fromengagement against the bias of said spring means upon driven rotation ofsaid tumblers in said opposite direction by said last tumbler.

7. A combination electrical switch comprising in combination:

a manually rotatable combination setting dial;

a manually depressable push button;

a plurality of axially aligned stationary contact housings;

at least one set of electrical contacts, each said set including aplurality of combination contacts associated one combination contactwith each of said housings for establishing a combination settingthereof;

a plurality of axially aligned tumblers arranged concentrically withinand associated one with each of said housings, each of said tumblersbeing rotatable relative to its associated housing for driving a tumblerassociated contact into electrical contact with said combination contactassociated with its housing whereby to complete an electrical circuitthrough its housing, said housings being arranged within a seriescircuit completed by the completion of said electrical circuit througheach of said housings;

a tumbler operator arranged concentrically within and engageable withsaid tumblers for effecting driven rotation thereof, said tumbleroperator having a normal first position wherein it is disposed inengagement with a first of said tumblers and successive axially spacedpositions wherein it is engaged with successive ones of said tumblers;

a latch deviee for releasably retaining said tumbler operator in each ofsaid successive positions and for constraining said tumbler operatorfrom rotation in a direction opposite to a given combination settingdirection for all positions thereof excepting a last of said successivepositions wherein it drivingly engages a last of said tumblers, saidlatch device being releasable to permit said tumbler operator to returnto said first position from said last of said successive positions; and

a motion transmitting assembly for coupling said tumbler operator withsaid dial whereby to impart rotations of said dial to a tumbler withwhich said tumbler operator is engaged whereby to drive its associatedcontact and for coupling said tumbler operator with said push buttonwhereby successive depressions of said push button serve to step saidtumbler operator between said positions thereof in a direction axiallyaway from said first position. 8. A combination electrical switchaccording to claim 7, wherein each of said stationary contact housingsincludes two sets of radially directed openings wherein the openings ofeach set correspond in number to the number of combination settingsprovided on said dial, said switch has two sets of electrical contacts.a combination contact of each set is associated with each said housingand removably insertable inwardly through a selected one of the openingsof each set of said openings to selectively determine two separatecombination settings of said housing, each of said tumblers drives twoseparate associated contacts one for electrical circuit completingengagement with an inserted combination contact of each set ofelectrical contacts thereby to selectively complete two separateelectrical circuits through each housing, and said housings are arrangedwithin two separate series circuits wherein only combination contacts ofone set of electrical contacts are arranged in each series circuit.

9. A combination electrical switch according to claim 8, wherein each ofsaid stationary contact housings defines an annular recess, said sets ofopenings being movably insertable selectively into one of said openingsassociated with said one set of electrical contacts to extend into afront portion of said recess, one of said tumbler associated contactsbeing a bridging contact extending through a contact ring, said contactring being rotatably disposed within said annular recess and beingcoupled for rotation with its associated tumbler, one end of saidbridging contact being disposed in continuous electrical contact withsaid ring of electrically conductive material and an opposite end ofsaid bridging contact being movable into electrical contact with saidcombination contact extending into said front portion of said recessupon conjunctive rotation of said tumbler and contact ring, acombination contact of an other of said sets of electrical contactsarranged in an other of said series circuits being removably insertableselectively into one of said openings associated with said other set ofelectrical contacts to extend into a rear portion of said recessforwardly of said ring of electrically conductive material, another ofsaid tumbler associated contacts being a band of electrically conductivematerial extending peripherally of said contact ring in radial alignmentwith said other set of openings for establishing electrical contact withan inserted combination contact of said other set in only one rotatableposition of said contact ring, and said band is continuously connectedinto an other of said series circuits by a second connector extendingoutwardly through said contact housing and having its inner end disposedin sliding engagement with said band.

1. A combination electrical switch comprising in combination: a manuallyrotatable combination setting dial; a manually depressable push button;a plurality of spaced devices each including at least one combinationcontact for establishing a combination setting of its associated device;a plurality of axially aligned tumblers arranged one in association witheach of said devices, each of said tumblers being rotatable relative toits associated device for driving a tumbler associated contact intoelectrical contact with said combination contact associated with itsdevice whereby to complete an electrical circuit through its device,said devices being arranged within a series circuit completed by thecompletion of said electrical circuit through each of said devices,adjacent tumblers having cooperating means for coupling said tumblersfor rotation in a first combination setting direction when a first ofsaid tumblers is driven in said first direction, whereas when anadditional tumbler other than said first tumbler is driven in said firstdirection said first tumbler and tumblers intermediate said firsttumbler and said additional tumbler are uncoupled while other ones ofsaid tumblers remain coupled for driving by said additional tumbler insaid first direction, and for coupling said tumblers for rotation in anopposite direction when a last of said tumblers is driven in saidopposite direction, each of said tumblers is formed with at least oneaxially extending drive slot, and the drive slots of adjacent tumblerswhen coupled being disposed in alignment; a tumbler operator beingformed with at least one tumbler engaging drive pin slideably receivedfor movement lengthwise within said drive slot of each tumbler, saidtumbler operator having a normal first position wherein said drive pinis disposed in driving engagement with said first tumbler and successiveaxially spaced positions wherein said drive pin is disposed in drivingengagement with successive ones of said tumblers; a latch deviceoperable to releasably retain said tumbler operator in each of saidsuccessive positions and to prevent tumbler driving rotations thereof insaid opposite direction in all positions excepting a last of saidsuccessive positions wherein it is drivingly engaged with said last ofsaid tumblers, said latch device being releasable to permit return ofsaid tumbler operator to said first position when said drive slot of atumbler with which said tumbler operator is presently engaged is alignedwith said drive slots of said first tumbler and tumblers intermediatesaid first and presently engaged tumblers; and a motion transmittingassembly for coupling said tumbler operator with said dial whereby toimpart rotations of said dial to a tumbler with which said tumbleroperator is drivingly engaged whereby to drive its associated contactand for coupling said tumbler operator with said push button wherebysuccessive depressions of said push button serve to step said tumbleroperator between said positions thereOf in a direction axially away fromsaid first position.
 2. A combination electrical switch according toclaim 1, wherein said first tumbler carries means engageable with saidlatch device whereby to release said tumbler operator for return to saidfirst position upon driven rotation of coupled tumblers by said lasttumbler in said opposite direction.
 3. A combination electrical switchaccording to claim 1, wherein said first tumbler carries a lug definingcam and stop surfaces, said cam and stop surfaces being arranged tosuccessively engage said latch device when said tumblers while coupledare driven by said last tumbler in said opposite direction, whereby insuccession to release said tumbler operator for return to said firstposition and to define the limit of rotation of said tumblers in saidopposite direction.
 4. A combination electrical switch according toclaim 1, wherein said tumbler operator is normally biased in arelatively forward direction into said first position thereof andincludes an axially extending front opening, a plurality of axiallyspaced radially directed openings communicating with said front opening,a plurality of annular recesses spaced apart axially of said tumbleroperator for cooperating with said latch device to releasably retainsaid tumbler operator in each of said successive positions and aplurality of ratchet toothed surface portions arranged intermediateadjacent annular recesses for cooperating with said latch device toprevent tumbler driving rotation of said tumbler operator in saidopposite direction, said movement transmitting assembly includes anouter member received within said tumbler operator front opening forrelative axial sliding movement and keyed to said tumbler operator forconjunctive rotary movements and an inner member supportedconcentrically within said outer member for relative axial slidingmovement, said outer and inner members being keyed for rotation withsaid dial, said outer member having at least one radial openingdisposable in radial alignment with a first of said tumbler operatorradial openings when said tumbler operator is in its first position andsuccessive ones of said tumbler operator radial openings when saidtumbler operator is in said successive positions excepting said last ofsaid successive positions, said inner member having an outer end engagedwith said push button and an inner end carrying at least one pusherfinger projectable outwardly through said outer member opening and intoan aligned radial opening of said operator member when said push buttonis depressed whereby to couple said push button, said inner member, saidouter member and said tumbler operator for axial movement whereby tomove said tumbler operator in a relatively rearward direction into saidsuccessive positions for engagement with successive ones of saidtumblers, and said latch device cooperating with said ratchet toothedsurface portions in all positions of said tumbler operator exceptingsaid last of said successive positions.
 5. A combination electricalswitch according to claim 4, wherein said first tumbler carries meansengageable with said latch device whereby to release said tumbleroperator for return to said first position upon driven rotation ofcoupled tumblers by said last tumbler in said opposite direction.
 6. Acombination electrical switch according to claim 4, wherein said latchdevice includes a latch portion, a release-stop portion, a toothedmember, and spring means for biasing said latch portion for insertioninto said annular recesses and said toothed member for engagement withsaid ratchet toothed surface portions, and said first tumbler carrying alug, said lug being arranged to engage said release-stop portion toremove said latch portion from insertion and said toothed member fromengagement against the bias of said spring means upon driven rotation ofsaid tumblers in said opposite direction by said last tumbler.
 7. Acombination electrical switch comprising in combination: A manuallyrotatable combination setting dial; a manually depressable push button;a plurality of axially aligned stationary contact housings; at least oneset of electrical contacts, each said set including a plurality ofcombination contacts associated one combination contact with each ofsaid housings for establishing a combination setting thereof; aplurality of axially aligned tumblers arranged concentrically within andassociated one with each of said housings, each of said tumblers beingrotatable relative to its associated housing for driving a tumblerassociated contact into electrical contact with said combination contactassociated with its housing whereby to complete an electrical circuitthrough its housing, said housings being arranged within a seriescircuit completed by the completion of said electrical circuit througheach of said housings; a tumbler operator arranged concentrically withinand engageable with said tumblers for effecting driven rotation thereof,said tumbler operator having a normal first position wherein it isdisposed in engagement with a first of said tumblers and successiveaxially spaced positions wherein it is engaged with successive ones ofsaid tumblers; a latch device for releasably retaining said tumbleroperator in each of said successive positions and for constraining saidtumbler operator from rotation in a direction opposite to a givencombination setting direction for all positions thereof excepting a lastof said successive positions wherein it drivingly engages a last of saidtumblers, said latch device being releasable to permit said tumbleroperator to return to said first position from said last of saidsuccessive positions; and a motion transmitting assembly for couplingsaid tumbler operator with said dial whereby to impart rotations of saiddial to a tumbler with which said tumbler operator is engaged whereby todrive its associated contact and for coupling said tumbler operator withsaid push button whereby successive depressions of said push buttonserve to step said tumbler operator between said positions thereof in adirection axially away from said first position.
 8. A combinationelectrical switch according to claim 7, wherein each of said stationarycontact housings includes two sets of radially directed openings whereinthe openings of each set correspond in number to the number ofcombination settings provided on said dial, said switch has two sets ofelectrical contacts, a combination contact of each set is associatedwith each said housing and removably insertable inwardly through aselected one of the openings of each set of said openings to selectivelydetermine two separate combination settings of said housing, each ofsaid tumblers drives two separate associated contacts one for electricalcircuit completing engagement with an inserted combination contact ofeach set of electrical contacts thereby to selectively complete twoseparate electrical circuits through each housing, and said housings arearranged within two separate series circuits wherein only combinationcontacts of one set of electrical contacts are arranged in each seriescircuit.
 9. A combination electrical switch according to claim 8,wherein each of said stationary contact housings defines an annularrecess, said sets of openings being spaced apart axially of said recessand having inner ends thereof disposed in communication with saidrecess, a rear portion of said recess mounting a ring of electricallyconductive material continuously connected into one of said seriescircuits by a first connector extending outwardly through said contacthousing, a combination contact of one of said sets of electricalcontacts arranged in said one series circuit being removably insertableselectively into one of said openings associated with said one set ofelectrical contacts to extend into a front portion of said recess, oneof said tumbler associated contacts being a bridging contact extendingthrough a contact ring, said contact ring being rotatably disposedwithin said annular recess and being coupled for rotation with itsassociated tumbler, one end of said bridging contact being disposed incontinuous electrical contact with said ring of electrically conductivematerial and an opposite end of said bridging contact being movable intoelectrical contact with said combination contact extending into saidfront portion of said recess upon conjunctive rotation of said tumblerand contact ring, a combination contact of an other of said sets ofelectrical contacts arranged in an other of said series circuits beingremovably insertable selectively into one of said openings associatedwith said other set of electrical contacts to extend into a rear portionof said recess forwardly of said ring of electrically conductivematerial, another of said tumbler associated contacts being a band ofelectrically conductive material extending peripherally of said contactring in radial alignment with said other set of openings forestablishing electrical contact with an inserted combination contact ofsaid other set in only one rotatable position of said contact ring, andsaid band is continuously connected into an other of said seriescircuits by a second connector extending outwardly through said contacthousing and having its inner end disposed in sliding engagement withsaid band.